Hallo Ein Bericht aus San Francisco:
'WHY RETIRE IN THE PHILIPPINES'
By Jose G. Caedo
PUBLISHED IN SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
Considering retirement?
For many Americans, retirement time is just around the corner.
The
prospect of trying to live on a pension, in old age is a daunting
one.
For some, moving to retire in another country such as Mexico (for
North
Americans) or Portugal and Spain (for Northern Europeans) is an
option
which has been successful. But why not consider retiring in the
Philippines?
Over the last decade, the Philippines has become a retirement
haven for
thousands of foreigners, particularly the Japanese, Korean, and
Northern
Europeans. Along with Thailand and Malaysia, the Philippines
developed
communications, infrastructure, and service delivery systems
specifically
geared to meet the needs of foreign retirees.
The principal appeal for retirement in the Philippines is the
lower cost
of living. As of May 2008, the Philippine
Peso ( PhP) exchange
rate is
approximately PhP 43 to $1.00 . Housing, food, and labor costs
are
quite reasonable. A two bedroom condominium in one of the posh "
villages" in Makati City costs about $400 per month. and one can
dine out
on average at a three star restaurant for less than
$10.00, including tax and tip. If you plan to hire domestic help,
a
private driver's salary is approximately $200.- per month, while
a
trained housekeeper will earn approximately $100.- month. These
salaries
are lower if you live in the provinces.
Watching a film in a first-run movie theater there costs only 25
cents,
with a good light meal called " merienda") afterwards for about
$2.00.
One can hire an air-conditioned taxicab for eight hours for less
than
$25.00. Or take the MRT monorail from end to end for less than
$1.00.-
And a pair of locally made blue jeans costs less than $ 10.- IN a
country
where a provincial Governor's salary is PHP 28,000 per month, and
a
Presidential Cabinet Under-Secretary earns PhP35,000, your
pension can go
a long way. So, if you have an individual retirement income of
approximately
$1,500 to $2,000 per month ( Ph 80,000 to 100,000.-) you can live
quite
well there.
Incidentally, Peso-denominated Time Deposit interest rate now is
4.5% for
forty-five days.
AS for health care, most U.S. Health Management Organizations pay
for
medical expenses incurred in the Philippines. Check with your
HMO. The
Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs presently has a task
force
headed by former Secretary Roberto Romulo working to have the
U.S.
government accredit a number of first class Philippine hospitals
for Medicare
reimbursement. The Makati Medical Center, one of the nation's
best already
has such accreditation.
Unbeknownst to many is that for years, citizens of nearby
countries such
As Thailand, Nauru, Tonga, Indonesia, and Malaysia have flocked
to the
Philippines for medical care, particularly sensitive surgical
procedures.
The quality of medical care at the better Manila hospitals such
as the
Asian, St. Luke's, Medical City, Cardinal Santos, Philippine
Heart Center
for Asia, National Kidney Institute, and Makati Medical Center
meets
international standards. I have been treated by American Surgeons
in
San Francisco who have been to the Philippines where they
performed
surgical procedures. These surgeons have a high opinion of the
Philippine
doctors, nurses, and facilities they worked with.
Heart, Liver, Kidney, Pancreatic, and Cornea transplants are done
routinely in the better Manila hospitals.
A Japanese company will be building a medical facility in
Tagaytay City
exclusively for Japanese nationals within the year. There are now
close
to 10,000 Japanese retirees in the country, and the number is
growing
annually. The British government recently acquired a large tract
of land
in Fort Bonifacio to build a large Embassy. The British
ambassador
explained that larger facility is meant to help serve the growing
number
of British nationals retiring there as well. There are also
Japanese and
Korean investment groups buying homes and condominiums in Manila,
and
tracts of provincial land for retirees. This has caused a
mini-Real Estate
boom in the country. A retirement village exclusively for
Japanese
nationals already exists in Tagaytay, and more are planned. These
are
strong indicators of what is on the horizon
English is the Philippines' official business language. Most of
the
people you will meet, from hotel workers, taxi drivers, sales or
service
people, government employees, speak English, or have a working
understanding of it. The middle class speak English, without
exception.
All the major newspapers, and major broadcast companies use
English.
An English speaking visitor will never get lost in the
Philippines. It is
the universal use of that language that has been a strong
incentive to
foreigners. As well, communications links within the country and
to other
countries via the various commercial gateways is up to
international
standards. For example, the use of cell phones and text messaging
is
so common that housemaids, street vendors and sidewalk food
hawkers
can be seen using their cell phones incessantly.
And for just Php1.00 per message, why not? Are you thinking of
bringing
household goods over? Your electrical appliances will work using
the
local electrical outlets, which provide either 220V, or 110V
sources.
Just ask.
One will never want for adventure and sights to experience in the
Philippines. There is always a colorful Fiesta, pageants, street
festivals, and open public events going on. Lush with bountiful
natural
resources, one can enjoy the numerous beaches, resorts, golf
courses, and
play just about any sport, except skiing. There is an ice skating
rink in
Manila, though. Scuba diving and fishing are among the sports
which draw
the most number of foreigners to the rich aquatic offerings.
Shopping is the Filipinos' second most popular activity, the
first is
eating. Manila is Asia's undiscovered shopping Mecca. You will
love the
golden purple sunsets, the fragrance of the flowers at dusk, and
the
wonderful array of fruit and food. I used to enjoy watching the
sunset
from the bar at the Philippine Cultural Center. There, you
can listen to the Symphony, check out a play, or enjoy Grand
Opera.
There is just so much to explore and discover, specially in terms
of
nature, culture, and history.
If you're a betting man, there's horse racing, the Jai Alai,
numerous
first class casinos, and of course, cock-fighting. Manila is well
known
for its exciting night life.
Strategically located, the Philippines is an airline hub. Hong
Kong, Ho
Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, and Taipei are just an hour and a
half
flight away. With Tokyo, Shanghai, Bangkok, and Jakarta
approximately
five hours.
There are regular flights to those destinations from Manila's
three
international terminals.
Philippine Real Estate, medical/ social service, and Employment
agencies
are now working together under the aegis of the government's
Philippine
Retirement Authority ( PRA) to set up standards and make the
retirement
industry truly world class.
The PRA website is www.plra.gov.ph/ <http://www.pra.gov.ph/> main..
Under the direction of Gen. Edgar B.Aglipay, chairman of the
Philippine
Retirement Authority, plans have been operationalized to ensure
that the
growing demand for housing and ancillary services for the
retirees are
met.
The objective is to turn the country into the retirement haven in
Asia.
This will also help employ more local Filipinos at higher wages
so that
they need not leave the country to seek work.
Visit the land of fun, flowers, food, fruit, and friendly
people.You
might not want to leave it anymore. Mabuhay!
'WHY RETIRE IN THE PHILIPPINES'
By Jose G. Caedo
PUBLISHED IN SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
Considering retirement?
For many Americans, retirement time is just around the corner.
The
prospect of trying to live on a pension, in old age is a daunting
one.
For some, moving to retire in another country such as Mexico (for
North
Americans) or Portugal and Spain (for Northern Europeans) is an
option
which has been successful. But why not consider retiring in the
Philippines?
Over the last decade, the Philippines has become a retirement
haven for
thousands of foreigners, particularly the Japanese, Korean, and
Northern
Europeans. Along with Thailand and Malaysia, the Philippines
developed
communications, infrastructure, and service delivery systems
specifically
geared to meet the needs of foreign retirees.
The principal appeal for retirement in the Philippines is the
lower cost
of living. As of May 2008, the Philippine
Peso ( PhP) exchangerate is
approximately PhP 43 to $1.00 . Housing, food, and labor costs
are
quite reasonable. A two bedroom condominium in one of the posh "
villages" in Makati City costs about $400 per month. and one can
dine out
on average at a three star restaurant for less than
$10.00, including tax and tip. If you plan to hire domestic help,
a
private driver's salary is approximately $200.- per month, while
a
trained housekeeper will earn approximately $100.- month. These
salaries
are lower if you live in the provinces.
Watching a film in a first-run movie theater there costs only 25
cents,
with a good light meal called " merienda") afterwards for about
$2.00.
One can hire an air-conditioned taxicab for eight hours for less
than
$25.00. Or take the
MRT monorail from end to end for less than$1.00.-
And a pair of locally made blue jeans costs less than $ 10.- IN a
country
where a provincial Governor's salary is PHP 28,000 per month, and
a
Presidential Cabinet Under-Secretary earns PhP35,000, your
pension can go
a long way. So, if you have an individual retirement income of
approximately
$1,500 to $2,000 per month ( Ph 80,000 to 100,000.-) you can live
quite
well there.
Incidentally, Peso-denominated Time Deposit interest rate now is
4.5% for
forty-five days.
AS for health care, most U.S. Health Management Organizations pay
for
medical expenses incurred in the Philippines. Check with your
HMO. The
Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs presently has a task
force
headed by former Secretary Roberto Romulo working to have the
U.S.
government accredit a number of first class Philippine hospitals
for Medicare
reimbursement. The Makati Medical Center, one of the nation's
best already
has such accreditation.
Unbeknownst to many is that for years, citizens of nearby
countries such
As Thailand, Nauru, Tonga, Indonesia, and Malaysia have flocked
to the
Philippines for medical care, particularly sensitive surgical
procedures.
The quality of medical care at the better Manila hospitals such
as the
Asian, St. Luke's, Medical City, Cardinal Santos, Philippine
Heart Center
for Asia, National Kidney Institute, and Makati Medical Center
meets
international standards. I have been treated by American Surgeons
in
San Francisco who have been to the Philippines where they
performed
surgical procedures. These surgeons have a high opinion of the
Philippine
doctors, nurses, and facilities they worked with.
Heart, Liver, Kidney, Pancreatic, and Cornea transplants are done
routinely in the better Manila hospitals.
A Japanese company will be building a medical facility in
Tagaytay City
exclusively for Japanese nationals within the year. There are now
close
to 10,000 Japanese retirees in the country, and the number is
growing
annually. The British government recently acquired a large tract
of land
in Fort Bonifacio to build a large Embassy. The British
ambassador
explained that larger facility is meant to help serve the growing
number
of British nationals retiring there as well. There are also
Japanese and
Korean investment groups buying homes and condominiums in Manila,
and
tracts of provincial land for retirees. This has caused a
mini-Real Estate
boom in the country. A retirement village exclusively for
Japanese
nationals already exists in Tagaytay, and more are planned. These
are
strong indicators of what is on the horizon
English is the Philippines' official business language. Most of
the
people you will meet, from hotel workers, taxi drivers, sales or
service
people, government employees, speak English, or have a working
understanding of it. The middle class speak English, without
exception.
All the major newspapers, and major broadcast companies use
English.
An English speaking visitor will never get lost in the
Philippines. It is
the universal use of that language that has been a strong
incentive to
foreigners. As well, communications links within the country and
to other
countries via the various commercial gateways is up to
international
standards. For example, the use of cell phones and text messaging
is
so common that housemaids, street vendors and sidewalk food
hawkers
can be seen using their cell phones incessantly.
And for just Php1.00 per message, why not? Are you thinking of
bringing
household goods over? Your electrical appliances will work using
the
local electrical outlets, which provide either 220V, or 110V
sources.
Just ask.
One will never want for adventure and sights to experience in the
Philippines. There is always a colorful Fiesta, pageants, street
festivals, and open public events going on. Lush with bountiful
natural
resources, one can enjoy the numerous beaches, resorts, golf
courses, and
play just about any sport, except skiing. There is an ice skating
rink in
Manila, though. Scuba diving and fishing are among the sports
which draw
the most number of foreigners to the rich aquatic offerings.
Shopping is the Filipinos' second most popular activity, the
first is
eating. Manila is Asia's undiscovered shopping Mecca. You will
love the
golden purple sunsets, the fragrance of the flowers at dusk, and
the
wonderful array of fruit and food. I used to enjoy watching the
sunset
from the bar at the Philippine Cultural Center. There, you
can listen to the Symphony, check out a play, or enjoy Grand
Opera.
There is just so much to explore and discover, specially in terms
of
nature, culture, and history.
If you're a betting man, there's horse racing, the Jai Alai,
numerous
first class casinos, and of course, cock-fighting. Manila is well
known
for its exciting night life.
Strategically located, the Philippines is an airline hub. Hong
Kong, Ho
Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, and Taipei are just an hour and a
half
flight away. With Tokyo, Shanghai, Bangkok, and Jakarta
approximately
five hours.
There are regular flights to those destinations from Manila's
three
international terminals.
Philippine Real Estate, medical/ social service, and Employment
agencies
are now working together under the aegis of the government's
Philippine
Retirement Authority ( PRA) to set up standards and make the
retirement
industry truly world class.
The PRA website is www.plra.gov.ph/ <http://www.pra.gov.ph/> main..
Under the direction of Gen. Edgar B.Aglipay, chairman of the
Philippine
Retirement Authority, plans have been operationalized to ensure
that the
growing demand for housing and ancillary services for the
retirees are
met.
The objective is to turn the country into the retirement haven in
Asia.
This will also help employ more local Filipinos at higher wages
so that
they need not leave the country to seek work.
Visit the land of fun, flowers, food, fruit, and friendly
people.You
might not want to leave it anymore. Mabuhay!
